Track-gage.



No 874,373. PATENTED DEC. 17, 190%. E. W. PGRDYGE TRACK GAGE. APPLICATION FILED APB..8.190'I.

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EDGAR WALTER FORDYOE, OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA TRACK-GAGE Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 8. 1907. Serial No. 367.1)27.

I atented Dec. 17, 1907.

track, and at the same time to indicate the condition of the track as regards its level The object of my invention is the provision of a gage for the inspection of railway track which will automatically indicate or announce any variation or irregularity in the width of the track, and also to provide a levcling attachment for the gage by means of which the level of the track may be readily ascertained.

Another object of my invention, is to pro vide in combination with a track gage, a self adjusting alarm mechanism, either electrical or mechanical, for making known immediately any irregularity or, defect in the track.

A further object of my invention, is to provide such a gage having suitable alarm mechanism, which shall be of convenient size and form so that it may be operated either manually or by any suitable motive power, and a still further object of the invention, is the provision of a device embodying all these attributes, which shall be of simple and dura ble construction, and practical and eflicient for the uses intend? 1.

With these and other objects in view, my,

invention consists of a suitable frame, gage Wheels mounted in the frame so as to be acted upon by any variation in the track, suitable alarm-mechanism supported on the frame and connected through suitable means to the gage wheels so that any variation in the track acts through the gage wheels and connections to cause a sounding of the alarm, and one or a number of levels may also be supported in the frame.

Theinvention further consists of a ,track gage embodying certain other novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as herein disclosed and claimed, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

a Figure 1, is a side elevation of my complete and improved track gage in position upon a track as in actualuse. Fig. 2, is a plan View of the same. Fig. 3, is an enlarged detail view of the contact mechanism. Fig. 1, is a detail view of one of the adjustable flanged gage wheels. Fig. 5, is a side elevation of a level attachment adapted to be applied to'the gage.

My invention is primarily designed to be used by track walkers or inspectors, as the gage being of light construction, may be placed upon the rails and with very little exertion, be either pushed or drawn along by the operator walking upon the track bed, and

when the gage gives notice of a defect in the track, the exact location and extent of the defect may be ascertained with precision.

The device consists of a shaft or axle 1, centrally to which is secured by means of the clamping socket collar 2, the handle staff or rod 3,,to the outer end of which is secured the operating handle bar 4. Brace rods 5, are clamped in'a collar 6, near the outer end. of the handle, and extend to the collars 7, located near the ends of the axle, thereby serving to prevent lateral movement or strain on the handle staff. A pair of abutment collars 8, are adjustably secured upon one'end of the shaft by means of set screws 9,

and closely confined upon the shaft between the collars 8, is one of the gage wheels. These gage wheels are two in numb er, each consist mg of a tread portion 10, tapering" from which is the flaring flange 1 1, the tread being preferably threaded as shown to receive the straight retaining flange or collar 12, which is secured .in the proper adjusted position upon the tread by means of a set screw 14. The gage wheels are placed upon the axle ith their straight flanges innermost, and one of the wheels, in this case, the one to the left in Fig. 2, is formed on the inner side with a hub extension 15, terminating. in an abutment collar 16. This last named gage wheel is loosely confined upon its end of the axle between the adjustable spacing collars 17, which are similar in form to the collars '8, already described. A Washer 18, is loosely conhned upon the hub extension 15, of the laterally movable gage wheel, and connected at one end to said washer, is a rod 19, slide ably supported in bearings 20, the hearings in turn being carried upon the spaced collars 2], which are adjustably mounted upon the axle. The rod 19, is thus supported parallel to the axle and carries at'its inner end, the.

depending contact point 22. The inclined Pr-contact plate 25 is sage of the contact point 22.

be employed if so desired.

flanges of the gage wheels cause the wheels to grip the rails more securely so that they re spondto any irregularity in the track.

Adjustably secured near the center portion of the axle, is a supporting collar 23, to which is secured the offsetbracket plate 24. slidably and resiliently confined upon the bracket plate by means of the coiled spring 26, and this contact plate is formed with an enlarged end having an elongated opening 27 therethrough, for the pas- Terminal binding posts 28, are mounted upon the contact point and the contact plate, and leading therefrom are the conductors 29, which errtend to the electrical alarm bell 30, carried pen the handle s'tafl'.- I do not Wish to limit myself however to the use of an elec- .trical alarm bell, as a spring actuated alarm or otl'iersuitable signal may be mounted upon the frame and through suitable-connections, be operated by, the lateral movement of the gage wheel. J

' in order to readily ascertain the level condition of the track, it is generally advantageous to mount a level 31, upon the axle; This level may be mounted in a cavity in the axle as shown, or it may be mounted in any suitable manner or position so as to indicate the difference in level between the two ends oi the axle, and more than one level may With the foregoing description and illustration, the operation of the device will be readily understood, and it will be seen that lateral movement of the slidable ga e wheel, causes corresponding movement or the rod carrying the contact point, which in turn makes contact with the walls of the opening in the contact plate, thereby establishing 'a complete electric circuit which rings the alarm Wherever a variation in the gage of'the track occurs. a The straight flange and flaring angular flange of the gage wheels,form a combination to closely grip the rails, so that the wheels respond to the slightest variation in the regularity of the track. As the different parts of the device are adjustable, the proper adjustment and co-action of the niembersis thereby assured, By means of the level or levels,-any low plabes in the track maybe ascertained, or by slight modifications in the details of structure the levels may be arranged so to show the angle or urvature of the track.

From the above description taken i'n connection with the drawings, the many advantages of my invention over the present system of trackinspection will be readily appreciated, and it will be evident that Ihave [accomplished all the results herein setforth as the objects of my invention.

The level attachment shown in Fig. 5, consists of a base board 31-, adapted to be secured upon the axle or other convenient part oi the gage, and to one end of the base board is pivoted by means of the hinge connection 32, the angular supporting bar 33, at the upper end of which is mounted the level 3a. An outstanding bracket plate 35, is secured .to' the end of the base board opposite to hinge connection. A double flanged collar 36, is loosely confined in an opening in said bracket plate, and a threaded hand screw 37,-has its lower end secured to said collar. The hand screw passes through the end of the angular support and has threaded engagement therewith, so "that by rotating said hand screw, the hand screw may be raised or lowered at will. An upstanding scale 38, is secured upon the base board and is adapted to act as a gage for the angular support, and a level 39, may also be mounted upon'the base board.

In determining the inclination between two tracks, the angular support is raised or lowered by the hand screw until the level carried by said support is perfectly balanced,

and then by reference to the gage member,

the degree of angle or inclination between the tracks may be ascertained.

The horizontal level serves toindicate any variation in the supposedly level track, and the, angularly supported level serves to indicate the difference in level between the two tracks on curves and such places.

The level attachment is particularly use; ful in constructing new track to assist in laying the tracks perfectly level, and at curves or inclines, the angular support is set at the required degree of incline and the tracks are then laid accordingly. By pivotally mounting the base board of the level attachment, the level attachment as a whole may thus be swung around at right angles to thy axle of the gage, and by adjusting the an ular sup .port, the rise or grade of the tracli may be ascertained. I claim: 1. A track gage comprising an axle and a frame carried thereby, gage wheels on the axle, said wheels each having straight and inclined flanges for gripping engagement with the rails. I

2. The combination with a track gage, of gage wheels having a tread portion, an inclined flange tapering therefrom, and a straight flange.

3'. A track gage comprising. a frame and axle, gage wheels on the axle having inclined flanges for gripping engagement with the rails, suitable connections, and an alarm mechanism actuated by the gage wheels through the said connections.

4. A track gage comprising a frame and axle, relatively stationary and slidable gage wheels mounted on the axle, saidwheelshav-- ing inclined-flanges for gripping engagement with the rails, and an alarm mechanism actuated through suitable connections by the movable gage Wheel.

5. A track gage comprising a frame and axle, gage wheels on the axle having inclined flanges for gripping engagement with the rails, an alarm mechanism and suitable connections therefor so as to be actuated. by the gage wheels, and a level attachment.

6. The combination with an axle and frame, relatively stationary and slidable gage wheels mounted on the axle adapted to make. gripping engagement with the rails, adjustable abutments to limit the lateral movement of the wheels, a spring tending to force the relatively slidable gage wheel outward on the axle a laterally slidable plunger actuated by the movements of the slidable gage wheel carrying an electric contact, a stationary contact adapted to be engaged by the contact on the plunger and an electrical circuit including alarm mechanism, having as its terminals, the movable and stationary contacts. v

7. The combination with an axle, of a frame mounted thereon, "alarm mechanism carried by the frame, abutment collars ad- 1 between two of said collars, a relatively slidjustably mounted on the axle, a relatively stationary gage wheel confined on the axle able gage wheel loosel confined between two of the abutment co lars at the oppositeend of the axle, a coil spring on the axle be tween one of the abutment collarsand the movable gage Wheel to normally force the Wheel outward on the axle, and mechanism on the axle actuated by the movable. gage wheel to operate he alarm mechanism. I 8. The combination with an axle, of a frame mounted thereon, an operating handle carried by the frame and. alarm mechanism carried thereby, abutments adjustably mounted on the axle, relatively stationary and slidable gage wheels confined on the axle between the abutments, mechanism on the 'axle actuated by the movable gage Wheel to operate the alarm mechanism, and one or more levels carried by the device.

' In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR WALTER FORDYCE. Witnesses:

A. J. GoonwlN, W. S. ConEMAN. 

